New products: smartphone-friendly umbrella and more

This weekly roundup takes a look at the practical and sometimes quirky aspects of tech products.

The Brolly Rain Umbrella(Photo: Brolly Time)

Story Highlights

Headset lets users listen to music without earplugs

Mini-T boosts sound from computers, TVs and iPods

Take pictures underwater with Sony Cyber-shot

Get a grip on rainy weather

When the rain starts to pour and you need to text someone, you can pop open the Brolly Rain Umbrella and keep on tapping. Designed with a grip featuring four finger holes and an ergonomic handle, the umbrella provides shelter from the rain without hindering your ability to grip the phone. Simply open the umbrella, slide your fingers through the soft rubbery finger holes, grab your phone and start tapping. The Brolly Rain Umbrella costs about $20.

Here's a new way to use your head: A Bluetooth-enabled headset called Cynaps doesn't require earphones: The headset is installed into an accompanying cotton hat (or your own baseball cap) so that you can listen to tunes or conversations via your phone without wearing any earplugs.

How? The sound is conducted directly into your inner ear via vibration. Pronounced "synapse," the headset can be connected wirelessly to a Bluetooth phone, PC or audio player. Once the headset is paired with your device, the controls are within easy reach: Press on the hat's bill to play a song, answer a call, adjust the volume or switch songs.

A Cynaps Standard hat from Max Virtual costs $60. A Nike Dri-Fit model is $79. Both hats include a USB charging cable. Already have a favorite hat? The headset can be purchased as part of a Self-Install Module for $50.

Crave a bit more sound? The Mini-T from Orb Audio might do the trick. Designed to boost sound from computers, televisions, iPods and other mobile devices, the redesigned mini amp now measures less than 6 inches wide, 5 ½ inches deep and 1 ¼ inch high, making it a smart option for boosting sound in tight spaces. Enclosed in a glossy black cabinet, the model includes a subwoofer outlet, a stereo mini headphone input and an improved signal path that reduces noise. It costs just under $70.

Yes, it's March. But soon enough, summer will be here and chances are you'll be enjoying the surf, perhaps while decked out in a mask, snorkel and fins. And if you want to take pictures while underwater, the Cyber-shot TX30 waterproof digital compact camera could be another accoutrement. Equipped with a 5x optical zoom and a 10x digital zoom, Sony's slim camera has a Magnifying Glass Plus mode that lets you zoom in for close-ups of fish, plants or even your snorkeling teen's big smile when he spots a sea turtle. The 18.2-megapixel camera also includes built-in LED lights that can eliminate shadows, a video option that can capture 1080/60i video and a 3.3-inch touch-screen that can help you frame shots. Available in pink, blue, black or orange, the camera will go on sale in April for $350.